Williams and Archer were entrusted with the animals while the owners were away, with Williams operating under the business name Fur & Filly PetCare Services and charging £1,400 for the care. The family had been introduced to Williams by a friend and had used her services several times over the years with no prior concerns. The abuse specifically involved two German Shorthaired Pointers named Ayrton, aged 13 months, and Frieda, aged three, but did not affect the third dog, the cats, or the birds.
A veterinarian stated in a witness statement that both dogs showed signs of anxiety and stress from the handling. The family did not pay the invoice after uncovering the abuse, and the RSPCA investigated the case through Inspector Ben Jones. In court, Williams pleaded guilty to one offence of failing to meet the needs of two dogs under section nine of the Animal Welfare Act, while Archer initially pleaded not guilty but changed his plea on the day of the trial.
During mitigation, the court heard that Ayrton was a lively, young dog who could be challenging to deal with, and that Williams was in the early stages of pregnancy at the time and struggling to cope with hormonal changes. The specific sentences or penalties imposed by the court have not been disclosed, and it is unknown what the current condition and whereabouts of Ayrton and Frieda are, or whether there have been other complaints involving Fur & Filly PetCare Services.